Planning a wedding is never an easy feat, especially if you’re located in a desert-like area like Arizona where there are so many things to take into account. The biggest challenge in Arizona is the weather, more specifically, heat. Being a desert by nature will result in even the winter season being quite hot. It’s not uncommon for the bride and groom to have to wait in an air-conditioned space before they can head out for the big moment if the event is outdoors. Despite the unforgiving sun, the pesky buzzards, and the drastically humid weather conditions, the people of Arizona love an outdoor wedding.
There is nothing more scenic than being out in the open with a backdrop of natural scenery to add an endearing element to the entire event. Not to mention that the scenic locations offer a lot of material for the photographers to work with and if you have ever seen or participated in an Arizona wedding, you know it’s a beautiful sight to behold. In truth, there is a lot of planning that makes it all possible. Here are the most important things that you need to know if you are planning a wedding reception in The Grand Canyon State.
Time Of Year
The harsh reality is that no matter the RSVP date for the wedding you cannot escape the heat. Even the wintertime is much warmer than in many other areas of the country during the summertime. It’s a reality most Amazonians have grown accustomed to. As previously stated, the sun is quite unforgiving, so some skin protection will go a long way. If you are lucky to have the temperature at around 60F-70F in the evening on the wedding day, consider yourself lucky. Don’t be surprised if the daytime temperatures in the winter are close to 80F. The other thing to look out for are changes in weather. If you are outdoors the temperature can quickly drop to freezing levels in a matter of a couple of hours. If you plan on being out till late, prepare accordingly.
Pests
While the massive state of Arizona is a rather peaceful place to be there are a few local residents that can be a bit of a problem; bugs and mosquitos. This is particularly the case for outdoor events, even in the daytime. Residents of the Arizona and Phoenix region will know that mosquitoes can be quite relentless, audaciously paying no mind to the fact that it is your wedding day. The best solution is to be located in an area that is a little further away from raw vegetation, and to come prepared. Especially for guests who are not used to the bug situation, it is very important to have the right kind of anti-bug sprays and lotions. The last thing you want is for people to be paying more attention to the bugs than to your wedding.
Venue Arrangements
The ladies will tell you that it is no easy job to be walking through the grass in high heels. For outdoor weddings, it is very likely that you will come across uneven terrain, and fancy, formal shoes aren’t the most ideal choice for that situation. For the groom and the bride, it’s a good idea to have some walking shoes that they can wear as they walk about finding the best spot for the photoshoot. The photographer can lend a helping shoulder when you need something to lean on as you put on your good pair. Also, let the guests know about the terrain in advance. It’ll help them walk away from the wedding on their own two feet with their ankles intact.
Bride And Groom Prep
There are a few things that the bride and groom can do to be better prepared for the wedding. Since it can be quite hot, the groom should try to keep his attire simple. There is no need for multiple layers. Trust us, the excitement of wearing a wedding tux will fade once you have to walk out with the bride. For the bride, spray-on makeup is a great choice. It can withstand the heat very well as well as dabs of tissue as you clear the sweat off your face. If you are getting married in the summertime, definitely have an evening event. For the wintertime, watch out for the sudden temperature drop as the sun goes down.
If you want to add a more traditional touch to the wedding then why not consider some local flora for the bouquet? While a lot of the vegetation in Arizona is cacti, they, too, can look very nice in a bouquet. Also, some cacti flowers are extremely unique and will add some great color to the environment. Being the resilient plants that they are, you can even replant the cacti from the bouquet and they will continue to grow. What a fantastic memory from your big day.
